Spit Eats into Base of Bridge

The Telegraph India ^ | 5/24/2010 | The Telegraph India

[Dallas59]

Spit-o-cracy is threatening the safety of Howrah bridge with the daily onslaught of gutkha spat out by pedestrians corroding the protective hoods at the base of its pillars.

Officials of Calcutta Port Trust, the custodian of the 67-year-old bridge that bears the weight of over a lakh vehicles every day, said the commuters’ collective spit power had reduced the thickness of the steel hoods protecting the pillars from six to three millimetre since 2007.

“Gutkha contains highly corrosive elements that erode even steel. A safety audit is now being planned to find out the effect of constant spitting and several other factors on the stability of the hangers that transfer the load of traffic uniformly across the structure,” a senior port trust official told Metro on Sunday.

Forensic sciences expert Biswanath Kahali confirmed that accumulation of gutkha-laced spit on steel would have the same effect that acid has.

“Slaked lime combined with catechu and tannin, which are all components of gutkha, form an organic compound that acts as a corrosive agent on a steel surface. In combination, these substances can gradually corrode a steel structure,” added Kahali.

[grey_whiskers]

Like, *PING*, dude.

[James C. Bennett]

Yes, it’s quite obvious.

Pigeon droppings are actually more potent in destroying steel structures.

[Jack Black]

A lakh = 100,000 in Indian.

[count-your-change]

Serious study says saliva slingers spit substance spat on surfaces soon spoils safety, splendor of steel suspension structure.

[Bloody Sam Roberts]

Serious study says saliva slingers spit substance spat on surfaces soon spoils safety, splendor of steel suspension structure.

Ahhhh...memories of Johnny Carson and the Claude Cooper of Cleveland who Copped the Clean Closeted Copper Clappers Caper.

[count-your-change]

Certainly the Count completely recalls Caron”s corny comments concerning the Claude Cooper of Cleveland who Copped the Clean Closeted Copper Clappers Caper.
My compliments!

[Disambiguator]

I’d attempt a follow-up to your witty posts, but alas, I’m alliterate.

[count-your-change]

I’ve been alternate myself at times, sort of an on and off thing, you know, but not currently.

[Bloody Sam Roberts]

I’ve been alternate myself at times

It's ok to be alternating...allow me to be direct...as long as you keep current.

[sauropod]

Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star.

E = I R.

[count-your-change]

I feel electrified by your comments but not shocked.